| FAYETTE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT |
| EDUCATION DEPARTMENT |
The Conservation District offers numerous projects and educational
opportunities, including various presentations and community service
projects, for Fayette County schools and community groups. We strive to
assist teachers in addressing the goals of the Pennsylvania Academic
Standards for Environment and Ecology.
opportunities, including various presentations and community service
projects, for Fayette County schools and community groups. We strive to
assist teachers in addressing the goals of the Pennsylvania Academic
Standards for Environment and Ecology.
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Students learn about different habitats and create
a plant or animal that lives there:
Prairie— Prairie Dog
Beach— Crab
Rivers and Lakes—Dragonfly or Snapping Turtle
Coniferous Forest—Make a forest
Deciduous Forest—Leaf Prints
Desert—Cactus with an owl
a plant or animal that lives there:
Prairie— Prairie Dog
Beach— Crab
Rivers and Lakes—Dragonfly or Snapping Turtle
Coniferous Forest—Make a forest
Deciduous Forest—Leaf Prints
Desert—Cactus with an owl
The following are the environmental education presentations offered by
the FCCD. The Environmental Education Coordinator will work closely
with each individual teacher/group to choose a topic and or/activity
suitable for that particular audience. If you would like to cover a topic not
listed, we will design a program specifically for your needs.
We also have numerous videos available for teachers and groups to
borrow.
For a complete list of videos or to learn more about our Education
programs, please contact Heather Knupsky at (724) 438-4497.
the FCCD. The Environmental Education Coordinator will work closely
with each individual teacher/group to choose a topic and or/activity
suitable for that particular audience. If you would like to cover a topic not
listed, we will design a program specifically for your needs.
We also have numerous videos available for teachers and groups to
borrow.
For a complete list of videos or to learn more about our Education
programs, please contact Heather Knupsky at (724) 438-4497.
| Habitats (Grades K-1) |
This presentation can be adapted to fit
any grade level and can include:
pictures made with leaf prints, discussion
of various parts of the tree including
annual rings (using tree rounds or
“cookies”) and making their own life
“cookies”.
any grade level and can include:
pictures made with leaf prints, discussion
of various parts of the tree including
annual rings (using tree rounds or
“cookies”) and making their own life
“cookies”.
| Trees Please (Grades K- 6) |
This hands-on presentation teaches
the differences between amphibians
and reptiles; alligators and crocodiles.
Students get to see a real turtle shell,
alligator skull, and various skeletons.
For younger students: there are
several stories than can be used with
different art projects.
the differences between amphibians
and reptiles; alligators and crocodiles.
Students get to see a real turtle shell,
alligator skull, and various skeletons.
For younger students: there are
several stories than can be used with
different art projects.
| Amphibians and Reptiles (Grades K- 6) |
This is a table-top model that can be used
to teach about pollution, watersheds and
wetlands. Students assist with the
activities.
to teach about pollution, watersheds and
wetlands. Students assist with the
activities.
| Enviroscape (Grades 3 - 6) |
Students learn about and discuss
animal signs (tracks and scat), make
plaster casts of an animal track (to
take home), and look at animal skins
and skulls.
animal signs (tracks and scat), make
plaster casts of an animal track (to
take home), and look at animal skins
and skulls.
Tracks!! (Grades 4 - 6)
| Students work as a team to answer questions. Choose from: “Tree Jeopardy” “ Water Jeopardy” “Agriculture Jeopardy” |
Jeopardy Games (Grades 5 - 6)
This contest is held every year. The
theme varies, but is centered around
trees. The age groups are:
Kindergarten -1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade
and 4th-6th grade. One winner from
each age group will be chosen. The
winner and their entire class will receive
tree seedlings to take home and a cake
will also be provided for the class.
theme varies, but is centered around
trees. The age groups are:
Kindergarten -1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade
and 4th-6th grade. One winner from
each age group will be chosen. The
winner and their entire class will receive
tree seedlings to take home and a cake
will also be provided for the class.
| Poster Contest (Grades K- 6) |
AG FEST is a one-day, educational event that teaches fourth-grade students about agriculture in
Fayette County. The program is designed to help address the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology - Agriculture and Society. Classes spend 30 minutes
at each of six, agriculturally diverse stations: Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, Crops/Plants and
Technology. Many students have never seen a farm animal up close or do not realize, or even think
about, where their food comes from. Therefore it is important that the youth of Fayette County be
educated in agricultural areas. For more information, please visit our Ag Fest page.
Fayette County. The program is designed to help address the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology - Agriculture and Society. Classes spend 30 minutes
at each of six, agriculturally diverse stations: Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, Crops/Plants and
Technology. Many students have never seen a farm animal up close or do not realize, or even think
about, where their food comes from. Therefore it is important that the youth of Fayette County be
educated in agricultural areas. For more information, please visit our Ag Fest page.
Two fishing derbies are held each
year. In May, the derby is held at the
Fairchance Community Park and in
September the event is held at Dunlap
Creek Park. The event is free and
open to children ages 15 and under.
Prizes are given to the children with
the three longest fish in each age
category. There is also a raffle prize
drawing for every participant. Snacks
and beverages are provided.
year. In May, the derby is held at the
Fairchance Community Park and in
September the event is held at Dunlap
Creek Park. The event is free and
open to children ages 15 and under.
Prizes are given to the children with
the three longest fish in each age
category. There is also a raffle prize
drawing for every participant. Snacks
and beverages are provided.
| Fishing Derby (ages 15 and under) |
The Water Festival is a one-day educational event for sixth grade students. Through hands-on
techniques and a lively atmosphere, students will discover the basics of water including, but not limited
to: the importance of water to all life, the water cycle, the links between water, plants, wildlife and soil,
and the effects of human activities on water and all of nature. This educational event incorporates two
Exhibit Halls to host a variety of general water information, and two keynote events/presentations. The
presentations and exhibits will address the Pennsylvania Department of Education Academic
Standards for Environment and Ecology. For more information, please visit our Water Festival page.
techniques and a lively atmosphere, students will discover the basics of water including, but not limited
to: the importance of water to all life, the water cycle, the links between water, plants, wildlife and soil,
and the effects of human activities on water and all of nature. This educational event incorporates two
Exhibit Halls to host a variety of general water information, and two keynote events/presentations. The
presentations and exhibits will address the Pennsylvania Department of Education Academic
Standards for Environment and Ecology. For more information, please visit our Water Festival page.
Each year the FCCD awards a $500 college scholarship to a Fayette County student entering into,
or currently enrolled in, Agriculture, Environmental Science or a related field of study. For more
information, please visit our Scholarship information page.
or currently enrolled in, Agriculture, Environmental Science or a related field of study. For more
information, please visit our Scholarship information page.
The Conservation Leadership School is a one-week residential camp, at Penn State University,
where high school students learn about the environment and conservation issues. The camp
emphasizes field-based, hands-on learning along with group problem solving and leadership. The
FCCD awards a full ($495) scholarship to one student. This covers the cost of the entire program.
Students are only responsible for their transportation to and from the Leadership school. For more
information, visit our scholarship page.
where high school students learn about the environment and conservation issues. The camp
emphasizes field-based, hands-on learning along with group problem solving and leadership. The
FCCD awards a full ($495) scholarship to one student. This covers the cost of the entire program.
Students are only responsible for their transportation to and from the Leadership school. For more
information, visit our scholarship page.
The Envirothon is an environmental program for high school students in grades 9-12. Five-member
teams study resource materials throughout the school year for five environmental stations: Aquatics,
Forestry, Soils, Wildlife and a Current Environmental Issue. At the end of the year, all of the teams
come together to assess their knowledge at the County event. Tests, worth 100 points each, are
given to the teams at each individual station. The team with the highest cumulative score advances
to the state competition. The FCCD also holds a Jr. Envirothon for students in grades 7 and 8.
Click here for more Envirothon information.
teams study resource materials throughout the school year for five environmental stations: Aquatics,
Forestry, Soils, Wildlife and a Current Environmental Issue. At the end of the year, all of the teams
come together to assess their knowledge at the County event. Tests, worth 100 points each, are
given to the teams at each individual station. The team with the highest cumulative score advances
to the state competition. The FCCD also holds a Jr. Envirothon for students in grades 7 and 8.
Click here for more Envirothon information.